Anglian Energy Planning Alliance

WHAT IS THE TRUE COST?

All these vast and uncoordinated energy projects would run concurrently. As result the area faces a minimum of 12-15 years of construction-related blight. Quarries, spoil heaps, cable trenches, lorry parks, new roads and the widening of existing ones would destroy the peace, tranquillity and beauty of this fragile coastline which attracts over 8 million tourists annually. Huge volumes of HGV traffic (at peak Sizewell C alone could be up to 1150 HGV movements per day), LGVs, park and ride buses to bring in construction workers as well as workers’ own cars would result in traffic congestion, road closures, and rural lanes turned into rat runs. At Hinkley local communities are already experiencing London-level amounts of traffic pollution.

Construction of all these projects would also result in footpath closures, noise pollution, light pollution, air and dust pollution and result in:

major damage to a tourism-dependent local economy. Valued at £210million in the AONB
alone (£2 billion in Suffolk) it supports more than 4,500 jobs

permanent damage to the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB and some of the most bio-
diverse habitats in the UK

permanent damage to the rural landscape and its communities

permanent damage to heritage

permanent loss of habitat for protected species of animals and birds

permanent loss of agricultural land

If developments of this magnitude are allowed to go ahead it would set a dangerous precedent for the future of Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Areas of National Heritage and greenfield sites throughout the UK.